title: A proposed mechanism for the anticonvulsant action of valproate.
abstract: Valproate (n-dipropylacetate), the most recent major anticonvulsant drug, is unique in that it is a short-chained branched fatty acid with no cyclic components. It is proposed that its anticonvulsant action may be due to its stimulation of the beta-oxidation pathway, with a concomitant whole-body system shift toward metabolic acidosis. The circulating ketone bodies may then be utilized by brain, allowing an increased brain energy reserve and a greater tolerance to a transient stimulation which would have, without Valproate, triggered an epileptic seizure.
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism; D007657:Ketone Bodies / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D012640:Seizures / Q000517:prevention & control; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D005227:Fatty Acids; D007657:Ketone Bodies; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D014635:Valproic Acid; D006003:Glycogen